New Brain Surgery Patch Seals in 5 Seconds With Light

Brain surgeons just got a game-changing tool that could transform how they close wounds and protect patients from serious complications.

A research team at Pusan National University in South Korea developed a revolutionary patch that seals tears in the dura mater (the protective membrane around your brain and spinal cord) in just five seconds using safe visible light. When this membrane gets damaged during surgery, cerebrospinal fluid can leak out, causing infections, severe headaches, and delayed healing.

Professor Seung Yun Yang and his team built the patch from hyaluronic acid, a natural substance already found in your body. What makes it special is its two-faced design: one side sticks firmly to wet tissue with adhesive strength 10 times greater than commercial options, while the other side stays slippery to prevent unwanted sticking to surrounding tissue.

The patch solves a major problem with current surgical glues. Many existing sealants swell up after application, creating pressure on the brain and causing complications. This new patch absorbs fluids efficiently while barely swelling at all, keeping pressure minimal and patients safer.

In laboratory tests, the patch created a watertight seal strong enough to withstand high pressure. When surgeons tested it on rabbits with dura tears, it worked perfectly without damaging the skull, membrane, or brain tissue.

The Ripple Effect

The breakthrough extends far beyond brain surgery. Because the patch sticks so well to wet tissue, researchers believe it could revolutionize drug delivery systems, help grow artificial tissues, and seal wounds throughout the body where moisture makes adhesion challenging.

Biotech company SNvia has already licensed the technology and built large-scale manufacturing facilities. They plan to complete safety studies by mid-2026 and apply for clinical trials in South Korea the same year, putting this innovation on track to reach operating rooms soon.

The patch's simple design (made from a single material rather than complex layers) means it's easier and cheaper to produce than competing products. For patients facing neurosurgery, this could mean fewer complications, faster recovery times, and less risk of the painful headaches and infections that currently affect many people after brain and spine operations.

Thousands of patients worldwide experience dura tears during neurosurgery each year, and better sealing methods have been desperately needed for decades.